Gran’s horror as dog is mauled

A GRANDMOTHER was left bleeding and her daughter's dog nearly died after another animal launched a vicious seafront attack.

Nikki Swan, 52, also suffered bruising to her face after the attack, by a large alsatian-type dog on Southend seafront.

Her daughter's sausage dog Poppy nearly died when she was grabbed by the throat and dragged, and Mrs Swan feared her one-year-old grandson Oliver, who was in his pushchair just minutes before, could also have been attacked.

The incident played out in front of crowds of people watching the Southend Half Marathon, where Mrs Swan was cheering her daughters on.

She said: “It was awful. I was screaming and Poppy was yelping. Oliver was crying his eyes out.

“It could easily have been my grandson it attacked. The bite had just missed Poppy’s windpipe, so she was lucky not to have died.”

Poppy needed veterinary treatment costing £500 to her wound.

Mrs Swan, from Harpendon, Hertfordshire, was in Southend for the first time. Although shaken by her bad experience, she was also amazed by the help she received from bystanders.

She said: “I would like to thank them all for their concern as I was quite stunned. Two particular ladies were absolutely lovely, holding my dog while I calmed my grandson and fetching some antiseptic from a chemist. They stayed with me for quite a while after to make sure I was OK.

“I am always amazed how irresponsible some dog owners are. To have such a dog out where there were so many people, children and other dogs without it being muzzled is appalling.

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“I hope if that man reads this article, he will take steps to ensure his dog is muzzled at all times now. I believe he had his own four-year-old with him who must have been very frightened by the incident too and is obviously at risk by such an unpredictable dog.”

The incident was reported to the police who said they would be checking CCTV. Anyone with information about the dog attack, which happened on June 8, can call police on 101.

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Comments (21)

Im pretty sure i speak for everyone when i say ALL dogs should be wearing miniature galeazzo d' arco suits of armour!

Im pretty sure i speak for everyone when i say ALL dogs should be wearing miniature galeazzo d' arco suits of armour!DAGASMAN

Im pretty sure i speak for everyone when i say ALL dogs should be wearing miniature galeazzo d' arco suits of armour!

Score: -26

Sensible Man says...3:37pm Tue 17 Jun 14

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled?
Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.Sensible Man

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.

Score: 34

emcee says...3:42pm Tue 17 Jun 14

Quote: "The incident was reported to the police who said they would be checking CCTV." - ...and then completely wash their hands of the whole incident.

Quote: "The incident was reported to the police who said they would be checking CCTV."
-
...and then completely wash their hands of the whole incident.emcee

Quote: "The incident was reported to the police who said they would be checking CCTV." - ...and then completely wash their hands of the whole incident.

Score: 45

pembury53 says...3:45pm Tue 17 Jun 14

these 'sausage dogs' are aptly named, as they look like nothing more than a quick snack to these snarling monstrocities....... . the small dog owner, has quite literally, been thrown to the wolves, with little chance of redress, through the courts...

these 'sausage dogs' are aptly named, as they look like nothing more than a quick snack to these snarling monstrocities.......
. the small dog owner, has quite literally, been thrown to the wolves, with little chance of redress, through the courts...pembury53

these 'sausage dogs' are aptly named, as they look like nothing more than a quick snack to these snarling monstrocities....... . the small dog owner, has quite literally, been thrown to the wolves, with little chance of redress, through the courts...

Score: -20

SLord90 says...3:55pm Tue 17 Jun 14

Poor dog :( hope she makes a full recovery Xx

Poor dog :( hope she makes a full recovery XxSLord90

Poor dog :( hope she makes a full recovery Xx

Score: 25

born and raised criminal says...4:03pm Tue 17 Jun 14

Sensible Man wrote…

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.

It's not the owners fault his dog attacked another dog. That's like saying it's your fault that I punched someone in the face. Hopefully no criminal charges will be bought to this man. Good luck to him I say.

[quote][p][bold]Sensible Man[/bold] wrote:
So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled?
Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.[/p][/quote]It's not the owners fault his dog attacked another dog. That's like saying it's your fault that I punched someone in the face. Hopefully no criminal charges will be bought to this man. Good luck to him I say.born and raised criminal

Sensible Man wrote…

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.

It's not the owners fault his dog attacked another dog. That's like saying it's your fault that I punched someone in the face. Hopefully no criminal charges will be bought to this man. Good luck to him I say.

Score: -61

Loosers says...4:04pm Tue 17 Jun 14

We need a muzzle and lead law for all dogs in public places. When will somebody take the bull by the horns and make this happen. BTW, people continue to walk their dogs (off the lead of course) on the beaches despite the May-Oct ban. Nobody's policing this, so the transgressors take their chances knowing that they will get away with it. There are always the 'special' people who believe rules aren't applicable to them.

We need a muzzle and lead law for all dogs in public places. When will somebody take the bull by the horns and make this happen.
BTW, people continue to walk their dogs (off the lead of course) on the beaches despite the May-Oct ban. Nobody's policing this, so the transgressors take their chances knowing that they will get away with it. There are always the 'special' people who believe rules aren't applicable to them.Loosers

We need a muzzle and lead law for all dogs in public places. When will somebody take the bull by the horns and make this happen. BTW, people continue to walk their dogs (off the lead of course) on the beaches despite the May-Oct ban. Nobody's policing this, so the transgressors take their chances knowing that they will get away with it. There are always the 'special' people who believe rules aren't applicable to them.

Score: 13

the25man says...4:07pm Tue 17 Jun 14

I like the comment that all dogs should be muzzled in public. I agree with that ALL dogs including the smaller dogs that are more snappy than the big ones.

I like the comment that all dogs should be muzzled in public. I agree with that ALL dogs including the smaller dogs that are more snappy than the big ones.the25man

I like the comment that all dogs should be muzzled in public. I agree with that ALL dogs including the smaller dogs that are more snappy than the big ones.

Score: 16

Howard Cháse says...4:24pm Tue 17 Jun 14

the25man wrote…

I like the comment that all dogs should be muzzled in public. I agree with that ALL dogs including the smaller dogs that are more snappy than the big ones.

And some of the owners....

[quote][p][bold]the25man[/bold] wrote:
I like the comment that all dogs should be muzzled in public. I agree with that ALL dogs including the smaller dogs that are more snappy than the big ones.[/p][/quote]And some of the owners....Howard Cháse

the25man wrote…

I like the comment that all dogs should be muzzled in public. I agree with that ALL dogs including the smaller dogs that are more snappy than the big ones.

And some of the owners....

Score: 32

Almeda11 says...6:52pm Tue 17 Jun 14

born and raised criminal wrote…

Sensible Man wrote…

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.

It's not the owners fault his dog attacked another dog. That's like saying it's your fault that I punched someone in the face. Hopefully no criminal charges will be bought to this man. Good luck to him I say.

Some dogs are naturally more sensitive, therefore more easily aroused by situations, than others. But it is usually down to the owner being able to " bring up" the puppy, either with kindness, or, behaving in an aggresive way towards the dog, thereby making the dog either very timid, or more usually as aggressive as the owner, just as is the case with children. Some dog owners use their dogs as status symbols, WHY??? or to frighten and intimidate people, so in most cases the owner IS responsible for how their dog turns out.

[quote][p][bold]born and raised criminal[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Sensible Man[/bold] wrote: So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.[/p][/quote]It's not the owners fault his dog attacked another dog. That's like saying it's your fault that I punched someone in the face. Hopefully no criminal charges will be bought to this man. Good luck to him I say.[/p][/quote]Some dogs are naturally more sensitive, therefore more easily aroused by situations, than others.
But it is usually down to the owner being able to " bring up" the puppy, either with kindness, or, behaving in an aggresive way towards the dog, thereby making the dog either very timid, or more usually as aggressive as the owner, just as is the case with children.
Some dog owners use their dogs as status symbols, WHY??? or to frighten and intimidate people, so in most cases the owner IS responsible for how their dog turns out.Almeda11

born and raised criminal wrote…

Sensible Man wrote…

So - did the owner of the alsation just run away without waiting to face the music? And without waiting to check on the welfare of the small dog and its owner? Truly shocking if so. And why was the big dog not muzzled? Still I am sure if there were crowds about his actions - and those of his dog - will have been caught on many mobile phones. Hopefully said phone-owners will now be passing these images to Essex Police.

It's not the owners fault his dog attacked another dog. That's like saying it's your fault that I punched someone in the face. Hopefully no criminal charges will be bought to this man. Good luck to him I say.

Some dogs are naturally more sensitive, therefore more easily aroused by situations, than others. But it is usually down to the owner being able to " bring up" the puppy, either with kindness, or, behaving in an aggresive way towards the dog, thereby making the dog either very timid, or more usually as aggressive as the owner, just as is the case with children. Some dog owners use their dogs as status symbols, WHY??? or to frighten and intimidate people, so in most cases the owner IS responsible for how their dog turns out.

Score: 11

hgood says...7:51pm Tue 17 Jun 14

For god sake give the dogs a break. Dogs 'sometimes' fall out take a dislike to another dog. You people drive me crazy with your rubbish about muzzle all dogs, never let them off lead. The dog was ok thankfully but this 'sometimes very rarely happens'. I say keep all your kids on leads !!!

For god sake give the dogs a break. Dogs 'sometimes' fall out take a dislike to another dog. You people drive me crazy with your rubbish about muzzle all dogs, never let them off lead. The dog was ok thankfully but this 'sometimes very rarely happens'. I say keep all your kids on leads !!!hgood

For god sake give the dogs a break. Dogs 'sometimes' fall out take a dislike to another dog. You people drive me crazy with your rubbish about muzzle all dogs, never let them off lead. The dog was ok thankfully but this 'sometimes very rarely happens'. I say keep all your kids on leads !!!

Score: -9

DogsMessInLeigh says...9:39pm Tue 17 Jun 14

hgood wrote…

For god sake give the dogs a break. Dogs 'sometimes' fall out take a dislike to another dog. You people drive me crazy with your rubbish about muzzle all dogs, never let them off lead. The dog was ok thankfully but this 'sometimes very rarely happens'. I say keep all your kids on leads !!!

Yes it was so 'ok' to the tune of £500, please read the story through and then come back and comment, many areas dogs are not allowed off leads anyway, neither are they allowed on the beach at times, nor allowed to defecate in public areas without it being cleaned up please check council bylaws for yourself but i do believe all of these problems are ignored either by the owners and also equally by the local borough council, this dog owner really don't sound like a true dog lover as any decent dog lover would have stuck around and helped out.

[quote][p][bold]hgood[/bold] wrote:
For god sake give the dogs a break. Dogs 'sometimes' fall out take a dislike to another dog. You people drive me crazy with your rubbish about muzzle all dogs, never let them off lead. The dog was ok thankfully but this 'sometimes very rarely happens'. I say keep all your kids on leads !!![/p][/quote]Yes it was so 'ok' to the tune of £500, please read the story through and then come back and comment, many areas dogs are not allowed off leads anyway, neither are they allowed on the beach at times, nor allowed to defecate in public areas without it being cleaned up please check council bylaws for yourself but i do believe all of these problems are ignored either by the owners and also equally by the local borough council, this dog owner really don't sound like a true dog lover as any decent dog lover would have stuck around and helped out.DogsMessInLeigh

hgood wrote…

For god sake give the dogs a break. Dogs 'sometimes' fall out take a dislike to another dog. You people drive me crazy with your rubbish about muzzle all dogs, never let them off lead. The dog was ok thankfully but this 'sometimes very rarely happens'. I say keep all your kids on leads !!!

Yes it was so 'ok' to the tune of £500, please read the story through and then come back and comment, many areas dogs are not allowed off leads anyway, neither are they allowed on the beach at times, nor allowed to defecate in public areas without it being cleaned up please check council bylaws for yourself but i do believe all of these problems are ignored either by the owners and also equally by the local borough council, this dog owner really don't sound like a true dog lover as any decent dog lover would have stuck around and helped out.

Score: 25

InTheKnowOk says...11:16pm Tue 17 Jun 14

All dogs should be muzzled when in a public place, that way it's guaranteed situations like this won't arise ...

All dogs should be muzzled when in a public place, that way it's guaranteed situations like this won't arise ...InTheKnowOk

All dogs should be muzzled when in a public place, that way it's guaranteed situations like this won't arise ...

Score: 8

Illinois10 says...11:55pm Tue 17 Jun 14

All dogs should be banned, no human should be allowed to have a pet, no human should be allowed to have children if they can't control them. If the child misbehaves, the child is put down as this is best for everyone, the cases where the child's behaviour is not too bad, they are handcuffed and muzzled like Hannible Lector for the rest of their lives as they can't be trusted around other humans. Until humans who are fit to own children, society will be filled with stupid people.

All dogs should be banned, no human should be allowed to have a pet, no human should be allowed to have children if they can't control them. If the child misbehaves, the child is put down as this is best for everyone, the cases where the child's behaviour is not too bad, they are handcuffed and muzzled like Hannible Lector for the rest of their lives as they can't be trusted around other humans.
Until humans who are fit to own children, society will be filled with stupid people.Illinois10

All dogs should be banned, no human should be allowed to have a pet, no human should be allowed to have children if they can't control them. If the child misbehaves, the child is put down as this is best for everyone, the cases where the child's behaviour is not too bad, they are handcuffed and muzzled like Hannible Lector for the rest of their lives as they can't be trusted around other humans. Until humans who are fit to own children, society will be filled with stupid people.

Score: -6

silverleaf48 says...12:14am Wed 18 Jun 14

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control.
perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feelsilverleaf48

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

Score: -5

The King of Southend says...8:39am Wed 18 Jun 14

Like it or not dog owners have a legal requirement to control their animals in public. This could have been a small child disfigured for life.

Like it or not dog owners have a legal requirement to control their animals in public. This could have been a small child disfigured for life.The King of Southend

Like it or not dog owners have a legal requirement to control their animals in public. This could have been a small child disfigured for life.

Score: 14

Nowthatsworthknowing says...8:47am Wed 18 Jun 14

With a town as large as Southend, and with thousands of dogs, it's bound to happen, yet is rare, keep the words "in perspective" to mind and realise that whilst this incident is wholly unacceptable, it is a rarity, and as thus is worth knowing...

With a town as large as Southend, and with thousands of dogs, it's bound to happen, yet is rare, keep the words "in perspective" to mind and realise that whilst this incident is wholly unacceptable, it is a rarity, and as thus is worth knowing...Nowthatsworthknowing

With a town as large as Southend, and with thousands of dogs, it's bound to happen, yet is rare, keep the words "in perspective" to mind and realise that whilst this incident is wholly unacceptable, it is a rarity, and as thus is worth knowing...

Score: -3

pembury53 says...9:28am Wed 18 Jun 14

silverleaf48 wrote…

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace

[quote][p][bold]silverleaf48[/bold] wrote:
I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel[/p][/quote]and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menacepembury53

silverleaf48 wrote…

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace

Score: 3

Illinois10 says...11:31am Wed 18 Jun 14

pembury53 wrote…

silverleaf48 wrote…

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace

Are you talking about dogs or humans? Humans are the worlds worst species at killing or attacking, why don't humans get the 'lethal injection'?

[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]silverleaf48[/bold] wrote:
I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel[/p][/quote]and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace[/p][/quote]Are you talking about dogs or humans? Humans are the worlds worst species at killing or attacking, why don't humans get the 'lethal injection'?Illinois10

pembury53 wrote…

silverleaf48 wrote…

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace

Are you talking about dogs or humans? Humans are the worlds worst species at killing or attacking, why don't humans get the 'lethal injection'?

Score: 0

Almeda11 says...9:01pm Wed 18 Jun 14

Illinois10 wrote…

pembury53 wrote…

silverleaf48 wrote…

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace

Are you talking about dogs or humans? Humans are the worlds worst species at killing or attacking, why don't humans get the 'lethal injection'?

l agree with you that humans are the worst at attacking and killing, you only have to watch the news to see that. BUT, in this instance it is the human who has charge of the dog, and is therefore responsible for what could happen.

[quote][p][bold]Illinois10[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]silverleaf48[/bold] wrote: I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel[/p][/quote]and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace[/p][/quote]Are you talking about dogs or humans? Humans are the worlds worst species at killing or attacking, why don't humans get the 'lethal injection'?[/p][/quote]l agree with you that humans are the worst at attacking and killing, you only have to watch the news to see that.
BUT, in this instance it is the human who has charge of the dog, and is therefore responsible for what could happen.Almeda11

Illinois10 wrote…

pembury53 wrote…

silverleaf48 wrote…

I don't know about dogs being muzzled its always the same blame the dog when its the owner job to keep his or dog under control. perhaps people who own dogs should be muzzled wear one for a change and see how they feel

and when the owners fail in their 'job' maybe you could offer your assistance, removing these snapping jaws of death from the hapless victim, with little more than grim determination and misplaced optimism, that you may conquer this well honed killing machine.......... lethal injection is the answer, personally i would be ordering by the tanker load until we are rid of this menace

Are you talking about dogs or humans? Humans are the worlds worst species at killing or attacking, why don't humans get the 'lethal injection'?

l agree with you that humans are the worst at attacking and killing, you only have to watch the news to see that. BUT, in this instance it is the human who has charge of the dog, and is therefore responsible for what could happen.

Score: 3

Tone-Fu says...2:56pm Thu 19 Jun 14

Dogs fighting with other dogs is not bloody news! Do we write a bulletin every time a domestic cat kills a mouse or bird? No. There has to be some actual news you people can be reporting, instead of this trite drivel, surely?

Dogs fighting with other dogs is not bloody news! Do we write a bulletin every time a domestic cat kills a mouse or bird? No.
There has to be some actual news you people can be reporting, instead of this trite drivel, surely?Tone-Fu

Dogs fighting with other dogs is not bloody news! Do we write a bulletin every time a domestic cat kills a mouse or bird? No. There has to be some actual news you people can be reporting, instead of this trite drivel, surely?

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